91. It is related
as a memorable deed of a Roman general, This affair happened
in the war which Pyrrhus waged against the Roman people. Caius
Fabricius was the general who refused to take advantage of the base
offer.
that when the physician of a hostile king came to him and promised to
give him poison, he sent him back bound to the enemy. In truth,
it is a noble thing for a man to refuse to gain the victory by foul
acts, after he has entered on the struggle for power. He did not
consider virtue to lie in victory, but declared that to be a shameful
victory unless it was gained with honour. Cic. de
Off. III. 22.